Lehigh University is joining a delegation of American universities, sponsored by the Institute of International Education and the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, to establish new partnerships with Thailand's public universities.
About Lehigh University
Founded in 1865 and now recognized among the premier research universities in the United States, Lehigh University offers a rigorous academic experience for more than 7,000 students. Lehigh is a private university with five colleges: The College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Health, and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Lehigh is consistently ranked by national publications as among the top 50 universities in the U.S., putting it in the top 1% of the 5,000+ colleges and universities in the United States. Among its key features are its innovative and rigorous academic programs, its vibrant and diverse campus community, and its commitment to strengthening its recognition as a premier teaching and research institution worldwide.
Lehigh University is located in the Lehigh Valley, which includes Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, and is the third largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania. Lehigh is conveniently located within one hour of Philadelphia and 1 ½ hours of New York City.
Global Lehigh
Since its founding, Lehigh University has fostered strong connections with the world beyond its campus. In 1868—just three years after opening its doors—Lehigh welcomed its first international students, beginning a long-standing tradition of global engagement. During the 2024–2025 academic year, the university hosted 989 international students from 91 countries and 140 scholars representing 42 countries. That same year, 789 Lehigh students participated in 825 study abroad experiences, and 42% of students had completed at least one international experience by graduation. The university also sponsors several distinctive international programs:
- Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives
- Iacocca Institute
- Iacocca International Internship Program
- International Center for Academic and Professional English
- United Nations Partnership
- Creative Inquiry Mountaintop Initiatives and the Global Social Impact Fellows
In 2021, Lehigh received the Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, an honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that are making significant, well-planned, well-executed, and well-documented progress toward comprehensive internationalization—especially those using innovative and creative approaches.
"Global Lehigh Strategic Initiatives" outlines our approach to comprehensive internationalization, integrating an international and intercultural perspective across all aspects of teaching, research, and service.
Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives is the central point of contact and coordination for international activities undertaken by Lehigh’s colleges and units, and for external institutions that want to engage with Lehigh University.
LEHIGH'S THAI ALUMNI NETWORK DEMONSTRATES LASTING GLOBAL IMPACT
August 26, 2025
Lehigh’s partnership with the Royal Thai Scholars Program has created a strong alumni network in Thailand, where graduates now lead major government agencies, research institutes, and universities in science and technology.
You can read more about this new here.